Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Soldier Welfare Measures� of the study on the Nitiprakasika by Vaisampayana which deals primarily with with Dhanurveda, i.e., the science of war, weapons and military strategies of ancient Indian society. It further contains details on Niti-shastra, i.e., the science of politics and state administration but most verses of the Nitiprakashika deal with the classification and description of different varieties of weapons, based on the four groups of Mukta, Amukta, Muktamukta and Mantramukta.
Soldier Welfare Measures
The soldiers requirements in the battlefield had to be taken care of free of cost by the king.
When his vehicle or weapon is lost or damaged it has to be replaced (±·Ä«³Ù¾±±è°ù²¹°ìÄåÅ›¾±°ìÄå VI. 105):
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However, it is also said that the clothes,laundry bills and medical expenses when should be borne by the soldier himself. (±·Ä«³Ù¾±±è°ù²¹°ìÄåÅ›¾±°ìÄå VI. 102):
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The king had to take care of the families of the warriors who fight for national interests and lay down their lives for the sake of the country.
±·Ä«³Ù¾±±è°ù²¹°ìÄåÅ›¾±°ìÄå enjoins that the king should give pensions for the family of the deceased soldiers as also the soldiers who retire after rigorous service (±·Ä«³Ù¾±±è°ù²¹°ìÄåÅ›¾±°ìÄå VI. 106):
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It also bids the king to pay half of the last earned wages of the soldier upon his retirement and the same amount to his family upon his death (±·Ä«³Ù¾±±è°ù²¹°ìÄåÅ›¾±°ìÄå VI. 107):
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When the enemy country is looted, the king has to share his booty with his soldiers. It is instructed that half of the booty is to be disbursed among the soldiers and the remaining half is to be retained by the king (±·Ä«³Ù¾±±è°ù²¹°ìÄåÅ›¾±°ìÄå VI. 103):
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The welfare of soldiers and his family has been given due significance from the times of the ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ itself. ±·Äå°ù²¹»å²¹ enquires with ³Û³Ü»å³ó¾±á¹£á¹³ó¾±°ù²¹ about the measures that have to be taken for supporting the families of the soldiers. He warns ³Û³Ü»å³ó¾±á¹£á¹³ó¾±°ù²¹ about the consequences when the families are not taken care of.